The School of Public Affairs and Administration offers the MPA on the Lawrence main campus, at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, and in Topeka, Kansas. The MPA gives students the knowledge necessary to understand how government programs are initiated and carried out. It emphasizes leadership, exploration of diverse problems in a diverse world, how public policy is made and implemented, and how programs are created and services are delivered.

Featured Resources & Career Ideas

Local/State Government: Typically involves working with various departments of state government and can include counties, townships, and school districts.

Federal Government: Typically involves working within various federal departments and agencies.

Non-Profit: Typically involves working with local and national non-profit agencies/foundations and can include charitable organizations, research organizations, and educational institutions.

Private Sector: Can involve working in consulting firms, association management firms and other businesses in a variety of areas including personnel management, budget analysis, and public relations.

International Relations: Involves working with US government agencies and international non-profit organizations to inform and enhance relations between countries through foreign diplomacy, intelligence, policy, and law.

State Government Departments, including: legislative agencies, state supreme courts, state representatives/legislators

Think Tanks

Trade and Professional Organizations

Administrative Officer

Auditor

Budget/Fiscal Analyst

City/County Manager

City Housing Manager

College Administrator

Community Development Director

Community Relations Specialist

Comptroller

Contract Negotiator/Compliance Officer

Diplomat

Employee Development Director

Environmental Planner

Financial Examiner

Fiscal Analyst

Foreign Affairs Specialist

Grants Specialist

Human Resource Manager

International Relations Specialist

Labor Management Specialist

Legislative Aide

Lobbyist

Mayor/Politician

Non-Profit Agency Director

Ombudsman

Personnel Management Specialist

Policy Analyst

Political Consultant

Public Affairs Specialist

Public Health Administrator

Public Relations Specialist

Public Utilities Manager

Transportation Commissioner

Urban and Regional Planner

Identify specific areas of interest within public administration, such as federal/state/local government, politics, non-profit, international relations, etc. so you can focus your academics and experiences towards these fields.

Consider joining a professional organization related to your area of interest in public administration, and, if possible, attend local and/or regional conferences to make connections with professionals working in your field.

Become familiar with the required professional qualifications associated with the career that interests you (i.e., advanced degrees, licensure, and/or certifications).

Take additional coursework outside your major when relevant.

Maintain a strong GPA.

Consider getting involved with a group related to your area of interest such as MPA alumni in your area.

Employment Statistics

As an example of where our graduates are employed, here is the information for MPA students who graduated in the 2015-2016 academic year:

Total number of graduates: 33

Federal government: 2

State government: 9

Local government: 17

Nonprofit (domestic): 5

Note: these are the statistics for all MPA graduates; it is not divided between MPA intern-option and MPA career-option graduates.

Graduation Rate

Of the 40 students who were admitted and enrolled for the 2011-2012 academic year, 50% graduated within 2 years; 68% graduated within 3 years; and 80% graduated within 4 years. This percentage rate should be viewed in perspective of the small number of students admitted and enrolled. Of the students who did not complete, some moved away, had personal obligations that took precedence, or found that the program was not a right fit for them.